Nico Rosberg details shock F1 return plan to be Lewis Hamilton’s stand-in at Mercedes

George Russell joins Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes

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Former F1 world champion Nico Rosberg has admitted he weighed up a stunning return to Mercedes last year. Rosberg would’ve considered a comeback after five years to replace Lewis Hamilton at the Sakhir Grand Prix whilst his former teammate recovered from COVID-19.

After Hamilton contracted the virus, Mercedes required a stand-in driver to take to the Bahrain track in December.

Williams driver George Russell – permanently replacing Valtteri Bottas at Mercedes in 2022 – stepped up and showcased a laudable performance.

But Rosberg could’ve made the headlines by returning to the track after almost half a decade.

Rosberg recently appeared on fellow ex-world champion Jenson Button’s YouTube channel to discuss all things F1.

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And the German driver revealed that he would’ve considered returning last year to step in for Hamilton during his COVID-19 struggles if he’d have gotten the call.

He told Button: “I would definitely have considered picking up the phone there. But I physically would not have been able to. No way.

“I would not manage more than two laps with that car. My arms would solidify rock solid, my fingers… I wouldn’t be able to hold the steering wheel anymore after two laps, I am sure.

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“Not to speak of the neck falling between my legs when I’m braking, because I wouldn’t be able to hold my head up!

“You know, the G-forces on those things, the challenge and the development you need on all your specific muscles, your arm muscles… It’s very on the edge. So physically, no chance.

“If you tell me you can try Valtteri’s car tomorrow in Bahrain on a day of testing, I’d be like ‘wow, that’s so cool, I’d love to do it’.

“But if you tell me I have another chance to be back in a season, no. Thank you very much everybody, I’m very happy with my second life. That’s all done and fulfilled.”

Rosberg and Hamilton enjoyed memorable battles as Mercedes teammates at the dawn of F1’s turbo-hybrid era.

Hamilton’s era of dominance commenced in 2014. He followed it up with another world title in 2015 as Mercedes produced a series of cars unmatched by any other manufacturer on the grid.

In 2016, Rosberg stole his thunder as the duo were involved in public spats and collisions on the track, beating the Briton by five points before retiring on a high.

Hamilton has won the World Championship in the following four years but faces tough competition from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen this time around.

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